PLATTSBURGH -- Results from the 12th-annual Plattsburgh/North Country Chamber of Commerce survey show that business confidence in the area is slightly down from previous years.

But it still enjoys a relatively high rating compared with the rest of the state and the nation.

The survey showed that owners feel their business will continue to grow or remain steady at a rate of 90 percent.

The previous three years, the figure was 92 percent.

Chamber President Garry Douglas said that given the economic uncertainty of the country, the chamber results are not that bad.

"With all the gloom out there, I'm surprised it didn't pull that number down even more," Douglas said at a news conference Friday morning.

"I think that is a testament to our members. They are thoughtful and not giving a knee-jerk reaction."

TAXES, HEALTH INSURANCE

The chamber surveyed about 3,000 of its members in late January and early February. About 21 percent responded.

The top issues at the state level were health-insurance costs and property taxes.

Douglas said businesses are hoping that property-tax-relief efforts won't hamper commercial enterprises.

He said programs such as STAR have been a failure.

"STAR gave residential owners some relief, but it ended up shifting the burden to businesses," Douglas said.

On the federal level, the lead issues were the border and health insurance.

Of those surveyed, 99 percent said they support policies and practices that will reduce wait times and increase fluidity at the U.S.-Canadian border.